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8.9 Industry Pioneers 1980-1989
Peter Adelmann
Country: Germany
Year joined industry: 1983
Company first worked for: Steca
Technology area: PV
Still active in the industry: Yes
In 1983 Peter Adelmann started to build PV Systems. He founded and managed the solar department in Steca
company. Later he founded Phocos AG. Since 1988 he has been teaching in the Technical University of Ulm. With
his students and with his children he started several solar companies (fosera, BOS AG, fothermo AG). As Professor
at the University and as director of his institute id-eee he now supports solar-entrepreneurship in an organised way.
Kim Atkinson
Country: Australia
Year joined industry: 1986
Company first worked for: Hyngo Pty Ltd - Natural Technology Systems
Technology area: PV
Still active in the industry: Yes
Kim Atkinson started in the Renewable Energy Industry in 1986 purchasing an established company Natural
Technology Systems (NTS) in Prospect South Australia. NTS most critical step was when we attained appointment
as BP Solar Distributor for South Australia. Our Association with this company over the next 25 years was the
making of NTS a market leader in all facets of the Renewable Energy Industry in Australia including the design and
installation of Hybris Solar, Wind, Battery, Diesel Generator Systems. NTS first major contract in 1995 was for SA
Government installing the first of the Dale Butler /Siemens manufactured Interactive inverter charger combined
with 120volt battery system with Solar and Diesel Generator. Siemens which then was manufactured by Power
Solutions Australia which then was taken over by Selectronics Australia and became the very Successful SP PRO
range of Interactive inverter chargers. The success of this project lead NTS to being awarded a contract to Install 5
of these systems for National Parks NSW in the Sturt National Park, following this were contracts to install systems
on Montague Island and Green Cape. NTS was selected to supply and install a large Hybrid, Solar, Wind, and Micro
Hydropower system in the Tumberong district in Brunei in 1996. NTS has been involved as a Renewable Technical
Consultant for the National Parks of South Australia and New South Wales and has filled the same roll with the
Department of Administrative Services and the Department of Aboriginal Affairs for the South Australia Government.
NTS developed for the Grid Connect market in SA developing a roofing framing system prior to the modern roof
railing kits. As well built a Modular Grid Connect Solar Battery Pack approved by ETSA and connected to the grid in
2000. NTS is a foundation member of the Solar Energy Industry Association of Australia, and Clean Energy Council
of Australia. Kim was involved with SEIA and BCSE and the CEC in helping to organise the Appropriate Technology
Retails Association [ATRA] annual conference from 1987 to 2015.
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